The world in figures: Countries

Vietnam

Reformists and conservatives will vie for the upper hand in the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), with the prime minister, Nguyen Tan Dung (reformist), and the president, Truong Tan Sang (conservative), staking out positions. Mr Sang, supported by Nguyen Sinh Hung, the conservative head of the legislature, will make inroads as the economic inertia saps support for the prime minister. Communist rule is not under threat, but a growing backlash against corruption, foreign-policy weakness and new digital channels of dissent mean the party’s authority could diminish. Economic growth will stabilise at 5%-plus.